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Dec. 15, 2009
In this Issue …
1. Feed a Neighbor this Winter
2. Coming in January: Economic Security Grants
3. Medicare Covers HIV Screening
4. Now Playing on YouTube: Medicare Open Enrollment
5. Webinar Explores Consumer Direction in Aging Programs
6. Examining Quality Ratings for Private Medicare Plans
7. New Health Reform Resources Online
8. Study: Part D Confusing to Caregivers
9. Medicare.gov Adds Video, Guide for Caregivers
New Promising Practice: Leveraging Twitter for Marketing and PR
Twitter. Facebook. Flickr. Confused about social media and how to make it work for you? Read our promising practice to learn how one agency used Twitter to generate TV coverage of its benefits access work. Find out how.
1. Feed a Neighbor this Winter
The White House, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Corporation for National and Community Service have launched the United We Serve: Feed a Neighbor Initiative. The goal is to raise public awareness of hunger and ask Americans to help ensure that their neighbors have access to nutritional food this winter.
Meanwhile, the Meals on Wheels Association of America has issued a report showing that since 1990, the overall percentage of food-insecure older adults has jumped substantially. For older people whose income is 130% of poverty or less, the rate of food insecurity is an astonishing 20%.
2. Coming in January: Economic Security Grants
In January, Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) will release a Request for Proposals to leading state organizations for its Elder Economic Security Initiative™. The initiative combines research, organizing, and advocacy to advance policy and program change that promotes the economic security of elders and their families.
3. Medicare Covers HIV Screening Tests
Medicare will now cover HIV infection screening for Medicare beneficiaries who are at increased risk for the infection, including women who are pregnant and beneficiaries of any age who voluntarily request the service.
4. Now Playing on YouTube: Medicare Open Enrollment
AARP has posted an animated video on YouTube encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to make sure their Part D plan still fits their needs and to make any changes before open enrollment ends Dec. 31.
5. Webinar Explores Consumer Direction in Aging Programs
Boston College is offering a Webinar today at 3 p.m. EST on challenges and successes related to adding and sustaining consumer-directed options in aging-network programs. Webinar participants will receive a comprehensive resource guide with additional tools and information.
6. Examining Quality Ratings for Private Medicare Plans
Private fee-for-service plans and regional preferred provider organizations have below-average quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services—significantly lower than HMOs and local PPOs, according to a new analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Nonprofit plans have significantly higher average ratings than for-profit plans.
7. New Health Reform Resources Online
The Kaiser Family Foundation has issued new and updated resources related to the health reform debate in Congress, including its interactive side-by-side comparison of the current House and Senate bills.
8. Study: Part D Confusing to Caregivers
A new study from Caring.com reveals that at least a third of its members are caring for aging parents or loved ones enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan. Among this group, only half are aware of how and where to enroll in the program and less than half are aware of what it covers.
9. Medicare.gov Adds Video, Guide for Caregivers
A new video on the Ask Medicare Web site tells one family’s story and highlights programs and resources available for caregivers. The site also features a new resource guide with links to services available through the Administration on Aging, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and state and local programs.
Editor’s Note: Benefits Alert will take a brief break for the holidays. We will return on Jan. 15. Seasons greetings!
Benefits Alert is published by the National Council on Aging. Jean Van Ryzin, Editor, jean.vanryzin@ncoa.org. Copyright ©2009. All content is copyrighted and must not be reproduced or distributed to others without written permission.
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, visit http://www.ncoa.org/.
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